Structure

ABSTRACT

A structure which includes a rectangular base and two substantially U-shaped assemblies pivotally fixed to respective opposed longitudinal edges of the base, the assemblies being movable, relative to the base, into a compact configuration which is substantially of the shape and size of a conventional shipping container, and away from each other to an operative configuration at which the assemblies form walls and at least part of a roof of the structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a structure which can be placed in a compactstorage mode which is suited for transport and which, at a chosen site,can be converted with relative ease into an enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a structure which includes a base of rectangularoutline with a lower surface which faces the ground and an uppersurface, first and second ends which are fixed to the base, which arespaced apart and which extend vertically, and at least a first assemblywhich has a first side with an inner surface and an outer surface, asecond side which opposes the first side, a panel fixed to and extendingbetween the first side and the second side, a first wall fixed at leastto the first side and the panel, a second wall which is spaced from andwhich opposes the first wall and which is fixed at least to the firstside and to the panel wherein the first assembly is attached and ispivotally movable relative to the base between a compact configurationat which the panel overlies the upper surface of the base, the firstwall is substantially adjacent the first end and the second wall issubstantially adjacent the second end and an operative configuration atwhich the outer surface of the first side faces the ground, the panelextends generally vertically, the first and second walls are displaced,respectively, from the first and second ends, and the second side ispositioned above and opposes the inner surface of the first side.

In order to move from the compact configuration to the operativeconfiguration the first assembly may be pivoted relative to the basethrough approximately 90°.

The structure may include a second assembly, of generally similar shapeto the first assembly, which is pivotally secured to the base. When thefirst assembly is moved to the operative configuration the secondassembly, which is in a compact configuration, may then be movable to arespective operative configuration. With both assemblies in therespective compact configurations, the first assembly, which isgenerally similar in shape to the second assembly but which has a largeroverall dimension, overlies at least a greater part of the secondassembly.

With each assembly in a respective operative configuration, a spaceabove the upper surface of the base may be closed by roof structure.

With each assembly in a respective compact configuration the structureis effectively similar in shape and size to a conventional shippingcontainer. To enable an interior of the structure, in this mode, to beaccessed, at least the first end may include an aperture e.g. a doorwayor window which is positioned so that it is in register with openings inrespective sides of the two assemblies which are adjacent the first end.Each opening may, itself, define a respective doorway or a window.

The structure may include guides which guide the movement of the firstwall and of the second wall relative to the first end and to the secondend respectively, as movement between the compact and operativeconfigurations takes place.

Similarly the second side may be movable in a controlled and limited wayrelative to the panes so as to take up a desired slope (roof forming) inthe operative configuration. Additionally it may be necessary to guidethe second side so that it can be moved without hindrance i.e. so thatit can be moved between respective positions in the compactconfiguration and the operative configuration without corning intocontact with or otherwise snagging any part of the structure orequipment which may be positioned inside the structure in such a waythat effective movement is prevented.

The first wall may include a locking member which is engageable with acomplementary locking member on the first end to brace the structure,particularly when the structure is in the compact configuration.

Gaps between the first end and the first wall may be sealed by means ofsuitable seals which may be of an elongate U-shape. These seals may beinterlocking. Additionally these seals may act as locks whichmechanically firmly secure different components of the structuretogether in a rigid and stable manner.

Each assembly may be movable in any appropriate manner relative to thebase, for example by means of hydraulically activated devices. Use maybe made of piston and cylinder assemblies and, conveniently, in eachassembly the respective first and second walls may be designed to besufficiently thick so that there is adequate space inside an enclosedvolume to accommodate such piston and cylinder assemblies or anyequivalent mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 9 illustrate somewhat schematically successive stages in thedeployment of a structure according to the invention as it is moved froma compact configuration to an operative configuration,

FIG. 10 illustrates various constructional details on the structure, and

FIG. 11 depicts a structure according to a variation of the inventionwhich includes doors and windows.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates in perspective astructure 10 according to the invention in a compact, storage andtransport configuration. FIGS. 1A and 1B show respectively the structureschematically in cross-section on transverse planes.

The structure 10 includes a base 12 which, in plan, is rectangular inoutline, and which has an upper surface 12A and a tower surface 12Bwhich faces towards the ground. The structure 10 has a first end 14 anda second end 16 which is spaced from and which opposes the first end 14.The ends 14 and 16 are at respective opposed edges of the base 12. Eachend 14 extends vertically.

Secured to the base 12 are a first assembly 18 and a second assembly 20.

The first assembly 18 has a first side 22, a second side 24 which isspaced from and which is generally parallel to the first side and abridging panel 26. The first side 22 has an outer surface 22A and aninner surface 22B. With the structure 10 in the compact configurationthe first side 22 is vertical and has a lower edge 22C which is attachedby means of a hinge joint 30 to an adjacent longitudinal edge 12C of thebase 12. The panel 26, which extends between upper extremities of thefirst side 22 and the second side 24, overlies the upper surface 12A ofthe base 12.

The assembly 18 has opposed first and second walls 34 and 36respectively which are closely spaced from and which are generallyparallel to opposing surfaces of the first and second ends 14 and 16.

The second assembly 20 is generally similar to the first assembly 18.The second assembly has a first side 42, a second side 44 which opposesthe first side 42, a bridging panel 46 at opposed extremities of thefirst and second sides, a first wall 54 and an opposing second wall 56.The second assembly 20 is sized so that, as is shown particularly, inFIGS. 1A and 1B, with the structure 10 in the compact configuration, thesecond assembly 20 is nested closely inside the first assembly 18. Thesecond assembly is pivotally connected by means of a hinged joint 60along a lower edge of the first side 42 to a corresponding longitudinaledge of the base 12.

FIGS. 2 to 9 illustrate how the structure 10 is converted from thecompact configuration shown in FIG. 1 into an operative configuration.The structure in the compact configuration is positioned on a chosensite. The lower surface 12B of the base may rest on the ground or it maybe supported above the ground on suitable legs, not shown. In an initialstep, shown in FIG. 2, the first assembly 18 is pivoted about the hinge30 in a clockwise direction 62 through about 90° so that the outersurface 22A of the first side 22 is brought into ground-engagingcontact. The panel 26 is thereby moved from a horizontal orientation toa generally vertical orientation. The second side 24 is moved from avertical orientation to a position, see FIG. 3, at which the second side24 vertically overlies the first side 22. At this point the first side22 is generally co-planar with the base 12.

The second side 24 is attached to the panel 26 by means of a pivotalconnection 64 which interconnects abutting edges of the first side 22and the panel 26. This pivotal connection permits the second side 24 tobe raised to an inclined position, as is shown in FIG. 3, at which anupper surface 24A of the second side is inclined to the horizontal.

FIG. 4 shows the first assembly 18 fully displaced from the base and inan operative position.

The aforementioned movement of the first assembly 18 exposes the secondassembly 20 so that it is then possible to pivot the second assembly 20about the pivot connection 60 in an anti-clockwise direction 66. Theprocedure which is followed is substantially the same as what isfollowed for moving the first assembly 18 to the operative mode. Thus,as is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the second assembly 20 is pivoted tobring the first side 42 into ground-engaging contact. The first side 42is then generally coplanar with the base 12. The panel 46 is moved to avertical orientation and the second side 44 is thereby positioned abovean upwardly facing surface of the first side 42. The second side 44 isslightly pivoted upwardly so that an upper surface 44A of the secondside slopes relative to the horizontal.

FIG. 7 shows a gap 70 between an edge 44B of the second side 44, and anopposing edge 24B of the second side 24. This gap can be closed invarious ways. As is shown in FIG. 8 extension pieces 24X and 44Xprojecting respectively from the sides 24 and 44, are moved towards eachother, in order to form a roof 74 from the sides 24 and 44 and theextension pieces 24X and 44X. The roof has an apex 76. Closures 74X, onone side of the structure and 74Y (not visible in FIG. 8) on an opposingside of the structure, are then used to close respective openingsadjacent the apex 76.

If the structure is to be returned to the compact storage configurationshown in FIG. 1, the preceding sequence of operations is reversed. Thesecond assembly 20 is first pivoted into a storage configurationwhereafter the first assembly 18 is pivoted into a storage configurationat which it overlies and closely encloses the second assembly.

An advantage of the construction which has been described is thatconversion from one mode to the other mode is readily effected. Theoperative configuration defines an enclosure which is bounded above andbelow, and on four sides, by rigid elements. In the compactconfiguration those elements which form the sides and roof (in theextended configuration) are positioned close to one another so that anenclosed volume which is usable for storage purposes is defined. This isevident from an inspection of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in particular.

In the preceding description the nature of the structure has beendescribed generally in a schematic manner. Some constructional detailswhich are necessary for an effective implementation of the invention areshown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 illustrates an inner surface 16A ofthe second end 16, an adjacent portion of the upper surface 12A of thebase, an inner surface of the second wall 36, and a part of the surface22B of the first side 22. Also shown, on an opposing side of the base 12is an inner surface of the second wall 56 of the second assembly, anadjacent part of the inner surface of the side 42, and a portion of theinner surface of the panel 46.

Each assembly 18 and 20 is pivotally movable relative to the base 12 bymeans of hydraulic cylinders 80, 82 which act between the base and theassemblies 18 and 20 respectively. The end 16 has elongate rims 84 whichextend along its vertical edges. The walls 36 and 56 respectively havecorresponding U-shaped channels 84A and 84B which engage in a sealing,weatherproof manner with the rims when the walls are moved to theorientation shown in FIG. 10. Additionally a strong physical lock isformed by the interengaged channel which securely fixes the walls 36, 56to the end 16. On the other hand when the walls are moved to the compactconfiguration i.e. as each wall is moved to a position which is adjacentand closely spaced from the end 16, use is made of lock bolts 86. Eachbolt includes a shank 88 and a head 90 designed to engage with acorrespondingly elongate slot 94 in the end 16 when the wall is moved tothe storage configuration. The interlocking arrangement is such that astrong and inherently rigid structure is achieved when the assembliesare put into the compact configurations. Cylinders 95 mounted in hollowsin the walls 34, 36 (similarly for the second assembly 20) are used toelevate the second side 24. The extremities of the foldout portion ofeach assembly which are to be brought into ground contact can be fittedwith pistons and cylinders or other levelling devices to ensure thateach floor forming component is horizontal and each wall formingcomponent is vertical.

FIG. 11 shows how the structure can be adapted to allow an interior ofthe structure to be accessed when the structure is in the storageconfiguration shown in FIG. 1 while, at the same time, facilitating theprovision of a door and windows which are usable in a conventionalmanner when the structure is in the operative configuration. The end 14is formed with a rigid door 100. The first wall 34 has an elongatewindow 102 and the first wall 52 has an elongate window 104. In FIG. 11the structure is in an operative configuration and access to an interioris provided through the doorway formed when the door 100 is opened. Thewindows 102 and 104 can be top-hung or sliding according to requirement.When the structure is converted to the storage configuration the windows102 and 104 are positioned in register with each other and with thedoor. It is then possible by opening the door to access the windows andif these windows have a suitable hinged or sliding arrangement it ispossible to go into an interior of the structure.

FIG. 11 also illustrates another variation wherein the gap 70 (see FIG.7) is closed by fabric 120, much in the nature of a tent. This is inplace of the rigid roof structure shown in FIG. 9.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A structure (10) which includes a base (12) ofrectangular outline with a lower surface (12B) which faces the groundand an upper surface (12A), first and second ends (14, 16) which arefixed to the base (12), which are spaced apart and which extendvertically, a first assembly (18) which has a first side (22) with aninner surface (22B) and an outer surface (22A), a second side (24) whichopposes the first side (22), a panel (26) fixed to and extending betweenthe first side (22) and the second side (24), a first wall (34) fixed atleast to the first side (22) and the panel (26), and a second wall (36)which is spaced from and which opposes the first wall (34) and which isfixed at least to the first side (22) and to the panel (26), wherein thefirst assembly (18) is pivotally movable relative to the base (12)between a compact configuration at which the panel (26) overlies theupper surface (12A) of the base (12), the first wall (34) issubstantially adjacent the first end (14) and the second wall (36) issubstantially adjacent the second end (16), and an operativeconfiguration at which the outer surface (22A) of the first side (22)faces the ground, the panel (26) extends generally vertically, the firstand second walls (34, 36) are displaced, respectively, from the firstand second ends (14, 16), and the second side (24) is positioned aboveand opposes the inner surface (22B) of the first side (22), thestructure (10) further comprising a second assembly (20) which has afirst side (42), a second side (44) which opposes the first side (42), abridging panel (46) between opposed extremities of the first and secondsides, a first wall (54) and an opposing second wall (56), wherein thesecond assembly (20) is pivotally connected along a lower edge of thefirst side (42) to a longitudinal edge of the base (12), and wherein thesecond assembly (20) is pivotally movable relative to the base (12)between a compact configuration at which the bridging panel (46)overlies the upper surface (12A) of the base (12), the first wall (54)is substantially adjacent the first end (14) and the second wall (56) issubstantially adjacent the second end (16), and an operativeconfiguration at which an outer surface of the first side (42) faces theground, the bridging panel (46) extends generally vertically, the firstand second walls (54, 56) are displaced, respectively, from the firstand second ends (14, 16), and the second side (44) is positioned aboveand opposes an inner surface of the first side (42), wherein with eachassembly (18, 20) in the respective operative configuration, a spaceabove the upper surface of the base (12) is closed by roof structure(24X, 44X).
 10. A structure (10) according to claim 9 wherein, with eachassembly (18, 20) in the respective operative configuration, the secondside (24) is pivotal upwardly to an inclined position about a connection(64), and the second side (44) is pivotal upwardly to an inclinedposition.
 11. A structure (10) according to claim 9 wherein the secondassembly (20) is sized so that, with the first assembly (18) in therespective compact configuration, the second assembly (20) in therespective compact configuration is nested closely inside the firstassembly (18).
 12. A structure according to claim 9, wherein, with eachassembly (18,20) in the respective compact configuration, the structureis effectively similar in shape and size to a conventional shippingcontainer.
 13. A structure according to claim 9, wherein, with eachassembly (18, 20) in the respective compact configuration and to enablean interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end (14)includes an aperture (100) which is positioned so that it is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).
 14. Astructure (10) according to claim 10 wherein the second assembly (20) issized so that, with the first assembly (18) in the respective compactconfiguration, the second assembly (20) in the respective compactconfiguration is nested closely inside the first assembly (18).
 15. Astructure according to claim 10, wherein, with each assembly (18,20) inthe respective compact configuration, the structure is effectivelysimilar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container.
 16. Astructure according to claim 11, wherein, with each assembly (18,20) inthe respective compact configuration, the structure is effectivelysimilar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container.
 17. Astructure according to claim 10, wherein, with each assembly (18, 20) inthe respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of thestructure to be accessed, at least the first end (14) includes anaperture (100) which is positioned so that the aperture is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).
 18. Astructure according to claim 11, wherein, with each assembly (18, 20) inthe respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of thestructure to be accessed, at least the first end (14) includes anaperture (100) which is positioned so that the aperture is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).
 19. Astructure according to claim 12, wherein, with each assembly (18, 20) inthe respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of thestructure to be accessed, at least the first end (14) includes anaperture (100) which is positioned so that the aperture is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).
 20. Astructure according to claim 15, wherein, with each assembly (18,20) inthe respective compact configuration, the structure is effectivelysimilar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container.
 21. Astructure according to claim 14, wherein, with each assembly (18, 20) inthe respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of thestructure to be accessed, at least the first end (14) includes anaperture (100) which is positioned so that the aperture is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).
 22. Astructure according to claim 15, wherein, with each assembly (18, 20) inthe respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of thestructure to be accessed, at least the first end (14) includes anaperture (100) which is positioned so that the aperture is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).
 23. Astructure according to claim 16, wherein, with each assembly (18, 20) inthe respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of thestructure to be accessed, at least the first end (14) includes anaperture (100) which is positioned so that the aperture is in registerwith openings (102, 104) in respective sides (32, 34) of the twoassemblies (18, 20) which are adjacent the first end (14).